Mesoamerica's first major abstract (complex) civilization was the Olmec civilization. Along with that was the way they did things.At San Lorenzo people had a place to worship their gods in the heavens or a place to settle and live. Different kinds of bracelets and necklaces mean different things.That is why there are many different pieces of jewelry.
Geography:
The Olmec villages were surronded by rain forest, grasslands, and swamps. Some of the Olmec lived in theVeracruz Gulf Coast.But they mainly lived on the southern Gulf Coast of Mexico.The Olmec area was extended from the Tuxtlas mountains in the west to the lowlands of the Chontalpa in the east, a region containing veriations in geology and ecology. At least 170 Olmec monuments have been discovered within the region.
Climate:
The place where the Olmecs chose to park themselves was near the equator so it was pretty hot. The humidity levels were high thus the Olmecs had to keep themselves cool either by making themselves fans or something else. Too describe the area they lived aroungd even more, their land was filled and surrounded by swamps, marshes, and land with a lot of grass.
Art and Architecture:
They createsd huge basil statues to worship the gods or their leaders. The Olmec were know for their art. Since there were so many ancient civilizations the Olmecs were know for their monuments. The Olmecs were the creaters of what have become know as teh colossal heads. These are giant heads of stone. The heads of stone wear big hats, often reffered to as helmets for protection. Their lips are as stern as can be and make them scowl. The heads could just be for decoration but perhaps they are images of leaders.There are other famous sulptures like one of a child that is mixed with a jaguar. When making jewelry the green stones value more then other jewelry making pieces. Their jewelry also includes green jade colored carvings that are somehow portable.
Image:Mexico.Tab.OlmecHead.01.jpg
Culture (Religion, Customs, Food, ect.): Their houses that they lived in where small in size that had thatched roofs.
Olmec people where seperated into social groups depending on wealth and power.
The Olmec people where masters at mathamatic's, farming, astronamy, and priests.
According to other sculptures, gods are half human or half animal or a mixture of two animals.
Jaguares, eagles, snakes, and sharks where animals the Olmec knew very well.
The Olmec goverment was a theocrary. In a theocrary the ruler and the ruling classes are thought to worship the will of the gods. The priests where the highest rank in the Olmec culture. The Olmec may have have started the game of soccer.
Technology (Farming, hunting?): The Olmec's technology was similar to New Stone Age's. Except they had copper as well. They fished many different species since they were near the Gulf of Mexico. They also farmed Corn, beans, squash and other crops. Since they had preety good soil, this wasn't very hard for them.
References: EasyBib: the bibliography maker.
Site your sources here: Henderson, John S. "Olmec." Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. 2008. Grolier Online. 30 Sep. 2008 <http://gme.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article?assetid=0213890-0>. Social Studies: The World : Scott Foresman Social Studies. Chicago: Scott Foresman, 2003.
Staurt, George E. The Mysterious Maya. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society, 1977.
Ackroyd, Peter. Cities of Blood. Grand Rapids: Dorling Kindersley, Incorporated, 2004. **www.answers.com/ topic/olmec**
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Summary of Civilization:
Mesoamerica's first major abstract (complex) civilization was the Olmec civilization. Along with that was the way they did things.At San Lorenzo people had a place to worship their gods in the heavens or a place to settle and live. Different kinds of bracelets and necklaces mean different things.That is why there are many different pieces of jewelry.
Geography:
The Olmec villages were surronded by rain forest, grasslands, and swamps. Some of the Olmec lived in the Veracruz Gulf Coast. But they mainly lived on the southern Gulf Coast of Mexico.The Olmec area was extended from the Tuxtlas mountains in the west to the lowlands of the Chontalpa in the east, a region containing veriations in geology and ecology. At least 170 Olmec monuments have been discovered within the region.
Climate:
The place where the Olmecs chose to park themselves was near the equator so it was pretty hot. The humidity levels were high thus the Olmecs had to keep themselves cool either by making themselves fans or something else. Too describe the area they lived aroungd even more, their land was filled and surrounded by swamps, marshes, and land with a lot of grass.Art and Architecture:
They createsd huge basil statues to worship the gods or their leaders. The Olmec were know for their art. Since there were so many ancient civilizations the Olmecs were know for their monuments. The Olmecs were the creaters of what have become know as teh colossal heads. These are giant heads of stone. The heads of stone wear big hats, often reffered to as helmets for protection. Their lips are as stern as can be and make them scowl. The heads could just be for decoration but perhaps they are images of leaders.There are other famous sulptures like one of a child that is mixed with a jaguar. When making jewelry the green stones value more then other jewelry making pieces. Their jewelry also includes green jade colored carvings that are somehow portable.
Culture (Religion, Customs, Food, ect.):
Their houses that they lived in where small in size that had thatched roofs.
Olmec people where seperated into social groups depending on wealth and power.
The Olmec people where masters at mathamatic's, farming, astronamy, and priests.
According to other sculptures, gods are half human or half animal or a mixture of two animals.
Jaguares, eagles, snakes, and sharks where animals the Olmec knew very well.
The Olmec goverment was a theocrary. In a theocrary the ruler and the ruling classes are thought to worship the will of the gods. The priests where the highest rank in the Olmec culture. The Olmec may have have started the game of soccer.
Technology (Farming, hunting?):
The Olmec's technology was similar to New Stone Age's. Except they had copper as well. They fished many different species since they were near the Gulf of Mexico. They also farmed Corn, beans, squash and other crops. Since they had preety good soil, this wasn't very hard for them.
References:
EasyBib: the bibliography maker.
Site your sources here:
Henderson, John S. "Olmec." Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. 2008. Grolier Online. 30 Sep. 2008 <http://gme.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article?assetid=0213890-0>.
Social Studies: The World : Scott Foresman Social Studies. Chicago: Scott Foresman, 2003.
Staurt, George E. The Mysterious Maya. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society, 1977.
Ackroyd, Peter. Cities of Blood. Grand Rapids: Dorling Kindersley, Incorporated, 2004.
**www.answers.com/ topic/olmec**